Artichoke plant named ‘PS-IG0131’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Artichoke plant named ‘PS-IG0131’ characterized by having large, non-glossy heads and thick, fleshy bracts and hearts. ‘PS-IG0131’ shows uniformity of head shapes, a compact plant height and a broad plant width.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of artichokeplant, botanically known as Cynara scolymus L. and herein referred to bythe cultivar name ‘PS-IG0131’.

Cynara scolymus L., commonly known as Globe artichoke, is a thistle-likeperennial herb and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Globeartichokes comprise leaves which are pinnately lobed but primarilyspineless, globose capitula composes of overlapping layers of largeinvolucral bracts, and receptacles which are enlarged and fleshy. Globeartichoke plants may be propagated by division and are essentially grownfor the production of the immature flower heads, which are considered asvegetable delicacies. Fresh artichokes may be steamed or boiled, afterwhich the fleshy receptacle, inner and outer bracts, and parts of thefloral stem may be eaten.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program carried outby the inventor, William J. Colfer at Chowchilla, Calif. in 1996.‘PS-IG0131’ was discovered and selected within the progeny ofopen-pollinated proprietary cultivar GGC3 by the inventor, William J.Colfer.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by division was performed bythe inventor in Watsonville, Calif. in 1997, and has demonstrated thatthe combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations ofasexual reproductions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘PS-IG0131’ which in combination distinguishthis Artichoke as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large, non-glossy heads;

2. Thick, fleshy bracts and hearts;

3. Uniformity of head shapes; and

4. Compact plant height; and

5. Broad plant width.

‘PS-IG0131’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variationsin environment such as temperature, humidity, light intensity anddaylength, without any change in the genotype. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Chowchilla, Calif. under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in horticultural practice.

Chowchilla is located in California's central San Juaquin valley.Conditions can vary greatly during the summer months. Air temperaturescan range between the low 60's (F.) to temperatures well over 100° F.Relative humidity is generally low with values ranging from the mid 40'sto the high 60's. Prevailing winds are westerly and rainfall averagesrarely exceed 15″ (inches) of rainfall.

In the following description, holding quality was measured by thephysical appearance of the head. This includes the head's appearancefollowing 3, 7, and 10-day storage periods in cold storage at 34° F. Thehead's exterior (oxidation) was observed at each of the threeobservation points. Browning and blackening of plant tissue wasevaluated as light, moderate and extreme. Juiciness was measured byobserving visible exudate and rated as absent, moderate-presence orexcess. Overall storage response was measured by observing headsfollowing 3, 7 and 10-day cold storage periods. These observationsconcentrated on visible color variability and/or presence of lesions orother cosmetic anomalies. Leaf ratio (L/W) was determined by dividingrepresentative leaf sample lengths by their width. Finally, headresponse (weather) was determined by observing the heads at maturity.These field observations focus on the presence or absence of bronzing,necrotic or chlorotic lesions or any abiotic responses to environmentalconditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographic illustrations show typical fruit andfoliage characteristics of a specimen plant of ‘PS-IG0131’, with colorsbeing as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

The first drawing is a side elevational view of the fruit and foliage.

The second drawing is a close-up view of the fruit showing its physicaldimensions.

The third drawing is close-up view showing a vertical cross-section ofthe fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Chowchilla, Calif. The data was collected fromfirst year tissue culture outplants. Selections were made in outdoorfield settings. Plants are grown in the soil in rows. Row spacing (bedcenters) is 38 inches, individual plant spacing varies between 12-36inches, depending upon original seed germination. Stem segments wereused to develop shoots which were transferred to a rooting medium forroot development. These plants were then transplanted into thegreenhouse for final plant growth and development. The date of firstharvest is approximately May 20 and the date of final harvest isapproximately June 15.

Color references are measured against The Munsell Book of Color, MunsellColor Macbeth Division of Kollmorgen Corporation.

Parentage: ‘PS-IG0131’ was discovered and selected within the progeny ofopen-pollinated proprietary cultivar GGC3.

Classification: Cynara scolymus L. c.v. ‘PS-IG0131’.

Propagation: Asexual production either by tissue culture using stemsegments to develop shoots for root development or division.

Plant:

Height.—Approximately 60.96-69.85 cm.

Width.—Approximately 99.06-152.40 cm.

Form.—Full.

Growth habit.—Upright/intermediate.

Plant vigor.—10.0 cm (2-3 leaves)-97.0 cm (52-66 leaves) from fallplanting (mid October) to final harvest (following May).

Side shoots.—Number: Approximately 3-6. Development: Moderate. Length:80.5-84.5 cm, average 82.67. Diameter: 13.0 mm-20.0 mm, average 16.50mm. Color: Pubescent, color range: 2.5GY 7/6 -2.5 GY 6/6; inner leafcoloration, range: 10Y 9/1-10Y 8.5/2; some anthocyanin colorationpresent, range: 5R 5/4-7.5R 4/4.

Main stem.—Length: 8.0-13.5 cm, average 10.40 cm. Diameter: 35.0-39.0mm, average 36.33 mm. Color: Moderate pubescence, color range: 2.5GY7/6-2.5GY 6/6; anthocyanin coloration at leaf insertions, color range:5R 5/4-7.5R 4/4; green color on leaf insertions, color range: 10Y9/1-10Y 8.5/2. Leaves on Main Stem: Approximately 13-18, average 15.0leaves.

Foliage density.—Moderate; side-shoot development and number greatlyincrease density.

Capitulum:

Size.—Primary: Approximately 36.20-41.28 cm. Secondary: Approximately31.24-35.60 cm.

Shape.—Oval to oval-spherical; predominantly oval-shaped.

Number.—Approximately 3-4 per plant.

Texture.—Intermediate, smooth.

Fragrance.—Mild.

Bract size.—Length: Approximately 7.3-9.3 cm. Width: Approximately4.6-5.3 cm.

Bract shape.—Predominantly oval-shaped.

Bract texture.—Smooth, slight texture.

Bract number.—Approximately 46-49 per head.

Bract color.—Inner: 5 GY 9/1-5 GY 9/4. Outer: 5 GY {fraction (9/4)}.

Bract firmness.—Firm, thick, fleshy and well attached.

Bract basal thickness.—Approximately 5.0-7.0 mm.

Heart description.—Concave and full with a slightly reduced shoulder.

Heart color.—5 GY 9/1-7.5 Y 9/4.

Pappus length.—Approximately 1.1-1.5 cm.

Pappus color.—Variable white/yellow coloration, range: 10Y 9/2-10Y 9/4.

Overall cold storage response.—Good; some regions that were damagedduring harvest displayed some browning.

Head firmness.—Firm, heads (capitula) are dense and hard.

Gloss.—Dull, no sheen or glossiness visible.

Cold storage (hold quality).—Good, heads remain firm and free of decay.

Head exterior (oxidation).—Moderate; some tissue is slightly browned notblackened.

Juiciness.—Moderate presence; some exudate is visible, but no excessvolumes were observed.

Head response (weather).—No adverse responses to weather conditions wereobserved on heads (capitula) or other plant tissues.

Bud burst.—April 20-April 25.

Bloom time.—Approximately May 25-June 10.

Duration of bloom.—Approximately 35-40 days.

Bloom diameter.—7.62-13.46 cm; average 11.71 cm.

Bloom depth.—8.89-11.43 cm; average 10.26 cm.

Bloom shape.—Head.

Florets.—1023-1257 florets per head, average 1161 florets per head.

Bud weight.—Primary bud weight 432.9-468.95 grams, average 457.83 grams;secondary bud weight 340.9-353.4 grams, average 345.47 grams.

Foliage:

Shape.—Long strap-like leaves characterized by lobes that extend to themidvein, lobes are coarsely lobed, midly dentate.

Length.—Approximately 70.6-89.4 cm.

Width.—Approximately 31.5-51.2 cm.

Leaf serrations.—Approximately 4.4-9.3 cm.

Leaf basal angle.—Approximately 27-47 degrees.

Leaf ratio (L/W).—Approximately 1.49-2.71.

Leaf area.—Approximately 2223.90-4577.28 cm².

Upper leaf surface color.—Range: 7.5GY 4/2-7.5 GY 6/2.

Lower leaf surface color.—Pubescence, color range: 7.5GY 7/2-7.5 GY 6/2.

Texture.—Slightly textured; as leaves mature, texture is slightlyincreased and prominent prior to senescence.

Venation.—Indistinct, blends; mid-vein is prominent and white to palegreen, color range: 2.5GY 7/6-2.5 GY 6/6, some regions with very thickpubescence 5GY 8/4; leaf lobes are green and indistinct.

Pubescence.—Smooth; upper leaf surface is smooth; pubescence is presentand distinct on younger leaves.

Leaf basal thickness.—Approximately 8.0-12.0 mm.

Leaf distance between serration.—Approximately 4.1-5.3 cm.

Petiole length.—Approximately 4.0-16.3 cm.

Petiole width.—Approximately 1.7-3.5 cm.

Petiole color.—Range: 10Y 6/6-10Y 6/4; lower petiole anthocyanincoloration range: 7.5R 5/4-7.5 R 4/4.

Seeds:

Shape.—Compressed ovoid, can be angular, mid-section asymmetrical.

Number.—18-132 seeds per head; average 89.6 seeds per head.

Length.—7.0-9.0 mm; average 7.88 mm.

Width.—4.0-5.0 mm; average 4.38 mm.

Color.—Light brown, beige with tan hues in a speckled pattern.

Plant/bud disease resistance/susceptibility: Moderate infection ofpowdery mildew, Leveillula taurica, Ramularia spp. and Alternaria spp.leaf spot were noted; infection was observed in the entire plant canopy.

General observations: The moderate height of ‘PS-IG0131’ ranges from60-69 cm. The head qualities of ‘PS-IG0131’ compared to artichokevariety ‘Green Globe’ (unpatented) are thicker fleshy bracts, thickerfleshy hearts (receptacles), oval shape and green (non-glossy) exteriorcoloration. The non-glossy heads (capitula) are large. ‘PS-IG0131’produces an average size (12) primary, size (18) secondary andtertiaries, size (24-36). Head numbers are moderate in this cultivarranging between 3-4 heads per plant. Anthocyanin coloration is visibleon both interior bracts and exterior lower bracts, color range: 7.5R5/4-7.5R 4/4. This presence is characterized as light and its presencecan vary. The head spinosity is reduced with average spine length ofapproximately 1-2 mm. Some bracts actually display intermediatenotching. The plants upright growth habit is intermediate, compact anddisplays moderate vigor. The canopies' coloration is a mediumgreen/yellow color ranging from medium to darker shades. These colorsrange on the Munsell Leaf Color Chart 5 GY 4/4-5 GY 4/6-5 GY 4/8. Leafspinosity is moderate, categorized as few. Floral stalk developmentduring anthesis produces a purple flower, color range 10P 6/10-10P5/10-10P 5/12.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Artichoke plant named‘PS-IG0131’, as described and illustrated.